A few weeks ago, I posted a video of an unsafe motorized garage vehicle door -- door failed to auto-reverse at floor level when it struck a 1-1/2" flat object that had been placed on the floor. A garage vehicle door, to be considered safe, must auto-reverse at floor level (1-1/2" over the floor or higher) and at mid-height. Any reasonably new garage vehicle door should, also, have sensor-eyes, both sides of the door at the bottom, that cause the door to reverse if there is an interruption of the infrared beam that exists between the eyes.

Let's review: First, here is a door that fails to auto-reverse at floor level.

Now, let's take a look at a garage vehicle door that auto-reverses correctly.

This video, shot in Bellingham, gets the point across -- some doors really do auto-reverse at floor level. I have had sellers argue with me that they never heard of such a test. These folks were under the impression that the sensor-eyes are the only safety feature of significance. That is, obviously, far from the truth. Keep in mind that many older doors may reverse only at mid-height, or not at all. Such doors are, by today's standards, considered to be unsafe. Performing "impact" safety tests at any old door, or at a door that is out of adjustment, may result in damage to the door, related property damage or injury so all safety testing should be performed trained professionals.

        

        

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7 Comments on Garage Vehicle Door Auto-Reverse

AUG
05
159,670 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Steven, I think it is very important feature. Thanks for sharing.

 
2:53pm • #1
178,428 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It wasn't that long ago ( early 80s) that I was working on some houses in Clifton VA when a terrible accident happened. Two boys were playing in a garage, and they had a door like you show in video 1 auto reverse failure. One of the boys ran to get in the gargae as the door was closing and more than half way down, he didn't make it and the door pinned him down on the concrete with no auto reverse. By the time the other boy ran to get help and got back the boy was dead. Yes, the test you show is a very important one.
3:57pm • #2
1,150,665 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jeff,

That is really awful. I will have to send people to your comments next time someone thinks I am being over the top in pointing that one out.
8:49pm • #3
AUG
06
780,942 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You are proforming an important test with the auto-reverse Steven. Better safe than sorry!
12:15am • #4
977,236 Points 352 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sellers will argue about anything they think is out of line.  Again, you don't know what you don't know.

Didn't you have a post like this once before? 

2:48am • #5
1,150,665 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jay,

About a month back, but I decided to do it with the video of the properly reversing door which I did not have before and I thought it added clarity.
7:50am • #6
293,498 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Little Stevie, I miss you!!! Great post. I find the doors are out of adjustment quite often.
8:48am • #7

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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